Japan's Recently Appointed Prime Minister Aims to Benefit from Abe's Connection in Key Negotiations with Trump.
The nation's recently chosen leader, Takaichi, is preparing to face her initial significant diplomatic test as she meets ex-President Trump for high-stakes discussions in Tokyo.
The agenda of their summit is expected to center on economic and defense matters, signaling a key juncture for Tokyo's relationship with its powerful ally.
A Notable Leadership and Global Introduction
Takaichi, who recently became Japan's initial woman leader after securing the top position of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, had her international introduction at the latest Asean summit.
But, her forthcoming meeting with Trump is seen as the true test that will establish the direction for coming bilateral relations.
Managing Internal and Global Pressures
Takaichi deals with a possibly unstable political landscape, having established a coalition that leaves her two seats away of a majority in the powerful lower house of the Diet.
This means, her administration will rely on opposition MPs to pass legislation, introducing a layer of difficulty to her governance.
Shared Perspectives and Diverging Policies
Takaichi holds Trump's suspicion of China's military activities in the Asia-Pacific, but each countries have faced issues from his "America-first" trade policies.
Lately, the former president oversaw a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia authorities during the first stage of his Asian visit.
Defense Expansion and Budget Commitments
The leader has expressed her commitment to accelerate Japan's military build-up, planning to increase defense expenditure to 2% of gross domestic product by the close of the fiscal year.
This step aligns with a longstanding demand from the former US leader and represents the biggest defense expansion for the nation since the Second World War.
Security Partnership and Tensions
Japan has also taken steps to obtain "retaliatory" abilities, including cruise missiles from the United States, and intends to use locally made longer-range missiles.
However, the two-way security agreement is still a source of tension, with Trump earlier stating that the nation should contribute more for stationing US forces on its territory.
Trade Expectations and Talks
Not many expect significant concessions on economic issues this week, particularly after latest duty changes offered a degree of ease to Japan's export sector.
Takaichi is likely to seek additional relief by promising increased acquisitions of US goods, including vehicles, agricultural produce, and natural gas.
Personal Chemistry and the Abe Connection
The value the former president attributes to individual rapport could benefit Takaichi's advantage, given her strong relationship with the late former prime minister Abe, who was one of his preferred world leaders.
He was the initial international leader to visit Trump after his election, and the pair built a close bond over mutual interests such as golf.
Forthcoming Agenda and Regional Significance
The former president's visit to the country will start with a meeting with Emperor Naruhito at the royal residence in Tokyo.
This will be followed by discussions with Takaichi at the official residence, the same location where Trump held talks with Abe in previous years.
Afterward, Trump will travel to the Republic of Korea for the APEC summit, where he is set to meet China's president Xi Jinping.
